Eden Hazard could be out for a month with muscle injury

Chelsea‘s Eden Hazard could be out for a month with a muscle injury, according to Belgian boss Marc Wilmots.

Hazard is out of Chelsea’s Premier League game against West Ham United at Stamford Bridge after limping out of the Blues’ Champions League 2-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on March 9th.

And Wilmots says the problem with a tendon in his upper leg could keep the 25-year-old out of action for as much as a month.

He told Sky Sports: “I have told Eden to have some rest. We are not too worried about him. He has a muscle injury, he will be out for three to four weeks.”

Hazard was forced off in the 77th minute in Chelsea’s Champions League last-16 exit to PSG and subsequently missed the Blues’ FA Cup defeat to Everton on Saturday.

Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Hazard was still experiencing some discomfort from the problem and wouldn’t be risked.

Hazard has made 26 Premier League appearances for Hiddink’s side this season, but has struggled for form and still hasn’t scored in England’s top tier.

A reoccurring hip problem has troubled him throughout the campaign, with the 14 goals and nine assists of last season a long way off.

With the international break after the West Ham game, Hazard will be afforded some time to rest and may be able to recover for Chelsea’s next fixture against Aston Villa on April 2nd.

Despite his form and fitness, Hazard is deeply competitive and will be disappointed to miss Belgium’s friendly against Portugal on March 29th.

Chelsea, meanwhile, will be without Hazard and the suspended Diego Costa as they look to extend their unbeaten league run under Hiddink stretching back to December against West Ham.

The Hammers are in great form though and will prove a tough nut to crack, having won their last three Premier League games.